Animal services needs you

Ventura County Animal Services is one of only 93 shelters nationwide that have been invited to compete in the highly competitive ASPCA $100k national competition between 50 animal shelters. But, to become one of the final 50, we have to have our community vote us in. Voting started April 4 and will continue until April 14.

You can vote once a day by going to http://www.votetosavelives.org, or on our website: http://www.vcas.us or through our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/VCAnimalServices. The shelters with the most votes go on to the final competition.

The final competition between the top 50 shelters takes place between Aug.1 and Oct.31. This competition consists of seeing who can adopt out the most animals over their previous year. The winner will receive $100,000. There also will be $20,000 given to top performing regional winners and $25,000 to the shelter that best engages its community.

Last year VCAS adopted out 732 dogs and cats during this period. Our challenge goal is to double our 2010 adoption numbers. We can do it! First, we need to be voted into the competition.

Please help us help them. Vote and then email, Facebook, Twitter and text your family and friends. Thank you for your support.

- Monica Nolan,

Thousand Oaks

The writer is director of the Ventura County Animal Services. - Editor